module specification

The module enables students to demonstrate their acquired knowledge and skills through a systematic and creative investigation of a project work, either individually or as part of a group, in accordance with their course requirements. The topic of investigation will cover a broad spectrum of various analysis and techniques and will lead to a comprehensive and concise academic/industry-related report. Students will be assisted in exploring areas that may be unfamiliar to them and encouraged to develop innovative ideas and techniques. Students will be able to choose a project  that may require the solution to a specific problem, creation of an artefact in a real-world environment or an investigation of innovative ideas and techniques related to an area within their field of study. Collaboration with outside agencies and projects with industrial, business or research partners/ sponsors will be encouraged.

The module aims to develop a wide range of subject specific cognitive abilities and skills relating to intellectual tasks, including practical skills and additional transferable skills of a more general nature and applicable in many other contexts.

Additionally, the module aims to:

- Provide an opportunity to learn, through supervised experience, how to plan and carry out a project
  through a systematic and creative approach;

- Encourage innovation and originality in approach to investigating a problem in an area  that my be
  unfamiliar to the student;

- Provide opportunity for in depth study of some specialised area of suitable scale and complexity
  relevant to their course of study;

- Raise awareness in potential business development opportunities in connection to the project work
  undertaken and of any ethical, legal and professional issues;

- Develop reporting skills as well as the ability to communicate results, conclusions, and the
  knowledge and rationale underpinning these, to specialists and non-specialists audiences,
  clearly and unambiguously;

- Enhance professional and personal development.

Students will either propose their own project, or select from a list of previously approved projects provided by staff and industrial patrners/clients. The list will be made available to students via a dedicated web site. Students’ own proposals will be subject to an approval process to ensure that they are of the appropriate scale and standard for the final year project and reflect the title and aims of their degree course.

Students will be allocated a supervisor, based on the project on which they are working, and the supervisor will be the main contact point for the student during the course of the project. There will be at least six formal, recorded sessions with the supervisor, during the project.  Students may be supervised individually or in groups by their supervisor.

The project is a major piece of work equating to about 300 hours of learning time for each student which will be reflected in the quality and quantity of work submitted.

The student will be responsible for the day to day organisation and management of the project and for ensuring that the project is delivered on time.  The supervisor will act in an advisory capacity, offering advice and guidance as necessary to ensure that the student remains on track.
Students will be required to formally plan their project.

All projects will contain two milestones:

1. A formal progress review will be undertaken at the midpoint of the project, at which point guidance
      can be given and remedial action taken as necessary to ensure that the project remains on track.

2. The final submission will mark the formal end of project activity and the date by which all work on
       the project should be completed.

There will be a project show at the end of the year to celebrate students' achievements. Students will have opportunities to exhibit their project work during the event where stakeholders and students' friends and families would be invited and project prizes could be awarded.

On completion of the module the student should be able to:

1.  Carry out independent research and investigative work;

2.  Apply knowledge, skills and abilities to the solution of a previously unfamiliar real-life problem;

3.  Apply a structured design process to the development of the solution;

4.  Apply project management techniques to ensure that the project is completed in a timely
     manner;

5.  Select from a range of alternatives the optimal solution to a problem and to justify that selection,
     giving due consideration to risk management and security issues;

6.  Carry that solution through to final implementation;

7.  Formally and correctly report on the progress and outcomes of the process;

8.  Reflect upon and critically appraise the work undertaken, and their contribution to the project; and
     their personal development;

9.  In case of group projects, demonstrate ability to work collaboratively in a small team, negotiate
     skills and manage conflicts;

10. Meet or exceed the requirements of the professional body accrediting their course of study or the
      appropriate industry standards and guidelines. 
 

The assessment on this module is 100% coursework with the major element of this being the final submission at the end of their project which will be blind double marked in accordance with the requirements of the relevant accrediting body and the university guidelines. Depending on the nature of the course of study, the coursework can take various forms and may consist of several components with submission dates spread throughout the year. Students shall be provided with clear  guidelines about specific requirements of their course and details of the marking schemes for each assessed component against the identified learning outcomes. Where an individual work is part of a group project, a clear indication of the part played by the individual in meeting the learning outcomes and achieving the goals of the project and its effectiveness will be included in the marking scheme.

Both formative and summative interim assessments will be used to ensure students are fully engaged with their projects and that appropriate progress is being made.

The student will be required to attend a viva voce examination (which may incorporate a presentation), at which both the supervisor and second marker will be in attendance.  This will act as a final opportunity for any unresolved questions to be addressed and feedback to be given.
 

A project-specific bibliography will be given to the student as part of their specification.

Students may find the following recommended texts useful.

- Breach, M. (2009), Dissertation Writing for Engineers and Scientists, Pearson Education Ltd.

- Dawson, C. (2009), Projects in Computing and Information Systems - A Student Guide, Addison
  Wesley.

- Weaver, P. (2004) Success in Your Project, Pearson Education Limited.